STRAITS METEOROLOGY. 217 



law, is that there is a maximum of river height about the time of 

 maximum sun-spots and another subsidiary minimum about the 

 time of minimum sun-spots. There is some reason too to think 

 that the Nile and Thames agree with those rivers in exhibiting a 

 maximum about the time of maximum sun-spots and a subsidiary 

 maximum about the time of minimum sun-spots, only their sub- 

 sidiary maximum is greater than it is for the Elbe and Seine. 



"107. In 1874 Gr. M. Dawson came to the conclusion that the 

 levels of the great American lakes were highest about times of 

 maximum sun-spots. In this investigation the value of the evi- 

 dence derived from rivers and lakes is no doubt greater than that 

 derived from any single rainfall station, inasmuch as in the former 

 case the rainfall of a large district is integrated and irregularities 

 due to local influence thus greatly avoided. 



'* 108. Dr. Hunter, director-general of statistics in India, has 

 recently shown ( Nineteenth Century, November 1877 ) that the 

 recorded famines have been most frequent at Madras about the 

 years of minimum sun-spots — years likewise associated with a 

 diminished rainfall. 



ct 109. Winds and Storms. — Meldrum of the Mauritius Obser- 

 vatory found in 1872, as the result of about thirty years' observa- 

 tions, that there are more cyclones in the Indian Ocean during 

 years of maximum than during years of minimum sun-spots. 1 The 

 connexion between the two is exhibited in the following table " : — 



[ Here follows a comparison of the Cyclones and Sun-spots 

 during the years 1847-73. The maximum number of Cyclones in 

 any one year is 15, the minimum 4, and the steady tips and downs 

 of the periodic fluctuations are very remarkable. The following- 

 are the years of maximum and minimum Cyclones : — 



fl847, 



5 



Cyclones 



| 1849, 



10 



>? 



j 1854, 

 1 1859, 



4 



•>•> 



15 



' ?? 



| 1864, 



5 





1^1869-71, 



11 



„ per annum 



1 Br. Assoc. Reports, 1872. 



